• The Beacon Roads Cycling Club organises annual Audax events over several distances.
• This year's events take place on Sunday 13th June over 201 Kms, 155 Kms and 101 Kms. Club-standard touring cyclists are invited to follow three carefully planned routes through south Warwickshire and the Cotswolds. All the rides start from Cheswick Green – just south of Birmingham, a couple of miles from junction 4 of the M42.
• All the routes head south-east, before swinging west across the Cotswolds, then north to the finish. At the start and finish there are parking facilities, free refreshments, and the opportunity to sit and socialise. And, as usual, the controls are at cycle-friendly hostelries or at village halls with catering laid on. Within this structure, significant parts of all three rides are new. As well as freshening up the events for ‘regulars’, the changes mean scenic country lanes almost all the way round.
• The Cotswold Outing: 101 km (63 miles) is our shortest ride and should be within the capabilities of most reasonably fit cyclists. The route goes through the gently undulating South Warwickshire countryside and along the northern fringe of the Cotswolds. Two controls divide the route into three roughly equal stages: south-east to Wellesbourne, west to Long Marston, then north to Cheswick Green. The first and third legs are the same as in previous years, with a largely new section of pretty country lanes between. Average speed: 10 to 25 kph.
• The Cotswold Journey: 155 km (97 miles) provides a stiffer challenge. There are four stages, taking in some outstanding countryside: a longish opening leg to Shutford near Banbury, then three of thirty-odd kilometres each – Shutford to Stow, Stow to Long Marston and Long Marston to Cheswick Green. While much of the first and fourth stages cover fairly easy terrain, the rolling middle section includes one or two short, sharp climbs. Nearly half of the route is new, with several sections of unclassified lane replacing A and B roads. Average speed: 15 to 30 kph.
• The Cotswold Expedition: 201 km (125 miles) is intended for experienced tourists. The four stages vary in length between roughly forty and fifty-five kilometres. Riders head first to Shutford near Banbury, before describing an arc through a string of picturesque Cotswold villages, via Bourton-on-the-Water and up to Broadway Tower, with its famous views. The middle section of the ride is moderately hilly, but has only one severe climb. More than half the course is new, and there are no extended stretches of classified road. Average speed: 15 to 30 kph.
• The rides starts at 8.30am (201k), 9.00 (155k) and 9.30 (101k). For all three events, the entry fee is £4.50 (plus an additional £1 for those riders not members of Audax, CTC or BC). Please make cheques payable to G F Barker. For more information and an entry form, see the AUK handbook, download a form, or contact the organiser:

• For more about Audax visit the website  for Audax UK

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